Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Would you like to get your organization or neighborhood more involved in NYC sustainability? We’re setting up video screenings that will expand how New Yorkers think about sustainability, and encourage attendees to plug into existing initiatives.Yes, New York City is making progress in lowering carbon emissions and becoming greener. But sustainability is more than just responding to climate change and preparing for extreme weather events - neither of which we’re doing as quickly as the science requires, by the way. As supplies of natural resources and fossil fuels deplete, rising costs will cause permanent economic changes. Urban planners and community activists are increasingly striving not just for sustainability, but resilience, so we can adapt as things change. Raising awareness about the interdependence of energy, environment and economy will encourage smart choices. By conserving energy, turning to mass transit and renewable power while relocalizing production of goods and services, we can assure better quality of life in NYC neighborhoods while moving toward real sustainability. The Transition community organizing method accelerates this process. It starts by educating residents about the full scope of sustainability issues. Then participants envision their community successfully adapted by 2030, brainstorm what steps they need to take, and pick a few to start with (http://www.transitionus.org/). Hundreds of communities around the world have begun Transition initiatives. Many other communities have been influenced by the methods, such as Brooklyn’s Sustainable Flatbush (http://sustainableflatbush.org/).Step up sustainability action in your neighborhood or organization by co-sponsoring a Transition video screening. After each short video, audience members can share their reactions, with a longer facilitated open discussion at the end of the screenings.You’re invited to see how this works at the next screening on Wednesday, October 19, 7 – 9 PM. Join us at the Seafarer’s and International House, 123 East 15th Street in Manhattan, just east of Union Square. There is no charge to attend, but a $5 donation is requested to cover costs.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

If you're around this Saturday, consider joining the 15 or so walks and bike rides in NYC that will converge at a climate change rally at the UN. It's one of thousands of climate change actions around the world, organized through 350.org.

While the City did not agree to a permit for a single unified march to the rally site, individuals will be bicycling, rollerblading and walking to the UN from meeting sites throughout the City. Find the one you prefer at:http://movingplanetnyc.blogspot.com/p/find-ride-or-march.htmlI will be representing Beyond Oil NYC and helping to lead the march from Merchants's Gate at Columbus Circle, 59th Street and Central Park West. Look for me with several 350.org signs. I'll need some help in carrying the signs, so if you get there by 11:30 you may get one. Or make your own sign and bring it.

Gather at noon and at 12:30, we'll set out down Broadway to 48th Street east to First Avenue, and make our way to the rally at 2 PM at the United Nations' Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on 47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues in Manhattan. More from the press release below."The UN General Assembly will be in session at that time debating important resolutions just 2 months before the UN climate summit in Durban and in the critical run-up to Rio +20. The NYC event has attracted a wide array of support from student groups, climate change activists, faith and environmental justice leaders, bicycling proponents, and opponents to hydrofracking of natural gas and nuclear power.The dozens of sponsors of the NYC rally include 350.0rg, NYPIRG, Beyond Oil NYC, Carbon Tax Center, Climate Week NYC, Climate Reality Project, Conversations with the Earth, Earth Day New York, Earth Matters, Environment Action Association, Food and Water Watch, Frack Action, Green Maps System, Green Cents Solutions, Human Impacts Institute, Manhattan Greens (Manhattan Local of the Green Party, No Impact Project, NYC Friends of Clearwater, NYC Climate Coalition, NY Society for Ethical Culture, Oxfam Action Corps, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sane Energy Project, Small Planet Institute, Slow Food NYC, Solar 1, Time's Up!, Transportation Alternatives, United for Action, Water Defense, We Act/Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice.

350.org recently helped coordinate several weeks of civil disobedience protests at the White House in opposition to the Tar Sands pipeline from Canada.

The demands of the global day of action include: relying upon science-based policies to get us back to 350 ppm of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; rapid, just transition to zero carbon emissions; ensuring adequate funding to assist third world countries with the climate change transition; and lifting the rights of people over the rights of polluters. To preserve our planet, scientists tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm.The local events are part of a worldwide day of action on September 24 calling for a fossil fuel-free world. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate by moving their bodies towards solutions to climate change in nearly 2,000 events across the globe ranging from 5 mile hikes to 350 hour bike rides."